Condiment-holder.



M. .I. GIBB'ONS. CONDIMENT HOLDER. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 13 191]:

P I Patented Apr. 30,1918.

INVENTOR ATTORNEY MICHAEL J. GIBBONS, OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, ASSIGNOR 0F FIFTY-TVTO O'NE- HUNDREDTHS TO 1V1. J. GIBBONS, TWENTY-FOUR ONE-HU'NDREIDTHS TO PAUL GESSr- NEE, AND TWENTY-FOUB ONE-HUNDREDTH$ TO 'WILLIAM G-RC H, DOING BUSINE$S UNDER THE FIRM-NAME OF CDNDIMEN'I HOLDER, COMPANY, OF ORLEANS COUNTY,

LOUISIANA.

OONDIMENT-I-IOLDER.

asagna.

Application filed March 13, 1917.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that T, MICHAEL J. GIBBoNs, a citizen of the United States, residing at New Orleans, in the county'of Orleans and State of Lousiana, have inventednew and useful Improvements in Condiment-Holders, of which the following is a specification.

This invention comprehends the provision of a condiment holder in connection with which use is made of a rotary element with a view of maintaining the perforations in the top of the article unobstructed, and for agitating the contents of the holder so that the same can be readily and easily sprinkled therefrom in the usual manner.

The nature and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the following detail description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, the invention residing in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as claimed.

In the drawing forming part of this specification like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views and wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the article constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view therethrough.

Fig. 3 is a top plan View.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the rotary element.

Fig. 5 is an edge elevation of the same.

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view.

Fig. 7 is a detail view of the washer.

Referring more particularly to the draw ing in detail 10 indicates generally the body of the condiment holder, which may be constructed from any suitable material, and in any design, without departing from the invention, the body 10 being of the usual construction excepting that the bottom 11 is concave as shown, and provided with a centrally disposed opening 12, the purpose of which will be presently described. Screwed upon the upper extremity of the body 10, or otherwise suitably secured thereto is a perforated top, or cap 13 which may be of the usual well known construction, but by preference is provided with a plurality of concentrically disposed grooves 14, which also Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 30), 191%..

Serial No. 154,550.

by preference, but not necessarily, are of substantially inverted V-shaped formation. It will be noted that the perforations of the cap are arranged in circular series about the top of each groove.

Mounted for rotation within the body 10 of the holder is what I term an agitating element indicated at 15, and which is of substantially T-shaped formation, the lower extremity of said element being reduced as at 16 defining a shoulder 17, while the cross piece indicated at 18 is substantially of a width equal to the diameter or width of the holder. The reduced extremity 16 is passed through the opening 12 in the bottom, while rising centrally from the cross piece 18 is a lug 19 received within a suitable cap 13,

whereby the agitating element as a unit is i when desired. It is known that when salt becomes damp, the perforations in the top of the condiment holder are frequently clogged up with the salt, consequently rendering the use of the article at times very difficult. The element 15 is preferably constructed from some fiat material of any suitable character, so that due to the width or dimensions of the element, it also serves to agitate the contents of the holder, when the element is rotated, so that lumps of salt or the like are broken and granulated, whereby the salt can be readily and easily sprinkled from the holder in the usual well known manner. It is to be borne in mind, that in damp climates, it is practically im possible to get salt through the perforations of the top of a condiment holder, but with the agitating element 15 embodied in this invention, the latter not only prevents the perforations of the top from becoming clogged, but it actually forces out wet or damp salt, as much as you would care to use at one time. 7

Fitted upon the reduced extremity 16 of V the element is a washer 22, which as shown in Fig. 2 is interposed between the shoulder 17 and the bottom 11 of the holder, surrounding the opening 12 for the purpose of preventing leakage of the contents of the holder at this point. The reduced extremity 16 projects beyond the underside of the bottom, and has fixed thereon in any suitable manner a knurled nut or the like 22 which can be conveniently grasped between the fingers of the user, with a view of rotating the element 15 as the occasion may require. The concavity of the bottom 11 permits the article to be properly seated upon the table or other support, and when thus arranged the operating element 22 is wholly concealed from view. The element 15 is simple in construction, capable of being produced in a single operation, and is yet very elficient for the purpose intended.

While it is believed that from the foregoing description the nature and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent, I desire to have it understood that what is herein shown and described, is merely illustrative of the preferred embodiment of the invention to which I do not limit myself, and that such changes in the construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to when desired as fall within the scope of what is claimed.

WVhat is claimed is 1. A condiment holder comprising a body, a perforated top therefor provided with a plurality of concentrically disposed grooves, an agitating element rotatably mounted within said body and having a toothed edge, said teeth operating within said grooves and traversing said perforations when the ele ment is rotated to prevent clogging of the perforations with material, and means for rotating said element.

2. A condiment holder comprising a body, and a top having spaced concentrically disposed series of perforations, a fiat agitating element of substantially T-shaped formation rotatably mounted within the body, with the stem of said element disposed in a line with the vertical axis of said body, and the cross piece having a series of teeth projecting from one edge and adapted to traverse the perforations in said top when said element is rotated, and means for rotating said element.

3. A condiment holder comprising a body, and a top having spaced concentrically disposed series of perforations a substantially T-shaped agitating element rotatably mounted within the body and of substantially rectangular formation in cross section, the stem of said element being disposed centrally of the body with the cross piece arranged immediately beneath said top, teeth projecting from one edge of the cross piece and adapted to traverse said perforations when the element is rotated, said stem having a reduced lower extremity defining a shoulder, said extremity passing through an opening in the bottom of said body, a washer fitted upon said reduced extremity and interposed between the shoulder and said bottom, and a manipulating element secured to the projected portion of said extremity for rotating said element, and said manipulating element being disposed above the lower edge of said body.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

MICHAEL J. GIBBONS.

copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the (Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

